Protect yourself from phishing scams
What is phishing?
Phishing is a type of online fraud that uses fake communications to trick you into providing your personal or financial information, like passwords, credit card numbers, access codes, or tax identification numbers.
How phishing works
Scammers pretend to be a person or company you trust
You get a message (via email, text message, phone calls or online ad) that looks like it’s from a company or organization you trust – like your bank, internet provider, even Canada Post.
They ask for your personal or financial details
The message asks for private information. For example, it may claim that you need to send them updated credit card information, or click on a link that will reset your password.
They trick you into sharing information
The scammer uses the message, and their fake persona, to get you to trust them and provide the information.
Clicking on links can infect your device
In some cases, clicking on a link or attachment will download malware to your device, which can delete, corrupt, or encrypt (lock) your files, steal sensitive personal or financial data, or, in rare cases, damage hardware.
How to protect yourself from phishing
- If a message looks suspicious, don’t reply. Delete it immediately.
- Don’t click on links or attachments in unsolicited messages.
- Never login to your account from a link in an email. Always go directly to the company’s website and login from there. Tip: Type in the website address in the address bar at the top of the page and then save it to your favourites.
Remember: Never give out important information over email, text message, or even phone call. This includes your password, PIN, one-time passcode, full credit card number, and key personal details, like your SIN or birthday.
How to report phishing
If you think that a phishing scam has compromised your banking or personal information, report the incident to Meridian by calling 1-866-592-2226.
Helpful resources